Page 82 of Burn Protocol

“Yes. We… we are together.” My voice wavers. “Lo siento, Chief. I… I really thought I had it under control.”

He stays silent for a few beats and I shuffle uncomfortably in my seat. His voice, when it does come, is surprisingly comforting though.

“We have no say in the matter of the heart, Elena. I know that like no other. And you, cariño, always find the hardest fires to walk into.” He studies my face for a heartbeat. “Is she worth it?”

The answer falls from my lips before I can think about it. A clear yes. My voice is steady this time. Salisar studies me for another moment, and then leans back into his chair. He runs his hand over his face and lets out a deep breath.

“I wanted you to hear it from me, sir. Before you read about it.”

His hand drops to the desk and his eyes narrow in calculation.

“The article?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Jesus Christ, Elena.” His voice is a breathy mutter. He throws his head back and stares at the ceiling. For a moment I am tempted to look up as well, but I keep my eyes on the Chief.

“Is there any way you can stop this from going public?”

“No, sir. Maya… it’s her job on the line too.” I swallow but keep my chin up. Those few words carry all the weight of this conversation. All my worries, all the risks, and all my willingness to take responsibility for my actions.

“So, why now? Why give me this headache?” He looks at me again, his eyes almost somber. Yet there is something soft in his gaze, tender even.

“Because I respect you, sir. Not just as my Chief, but also as… as my friend. I should have come to you sooner.”

Salisar lets out a tired laugh. The quiet kind that doesn’t hold any joy at all. The kind that tries to reroute stress and empties the brain from excess thoughts. He bends forward and looks at me. His eyes are calm. There is no anger in him, not even resentment. I had expected him to yell. Instead he seems relieved?

“You understand this will cause a storm? They will come for you, Elena. And when they do, they will drag up your past. They will leave no stone unturned. The municipality will want a scapegoat.”

I nod and close my eyes.

“I’ll take whatever repercussions come my way, sir. I just cannot hide her. I won’t.”

He studies me for another beat and then nods.

“Then don’t. But you will step back from media access, effective immediately. When you are contacted by any journalist, including Maya, regarding this topic, you will give them no comment. There will be no appearances unless approved by me. The press office will handle the fallout. You will focus on the job.” He sighs and then nods again. “You let me handle this, Gonzales. I’ll take the heat.”

I startle back into my seat at those words and just stare at the Chief. He doesn’t just offer to have my back. This is a promise of shielding me, even if it will dent him in the process. My fingers curl around the armrests until my knuckles turn white. I shake my head.

“Sir, no. I couldn’t… I won’t ask that of you.”

“You didn’t,” he huffs. “And I didn’t offer it either. It’s not a choice, Elena. It’s a fact. When you entered this station six years ago, you were a mess. Chiefs were scared of you. The wonder child that was so headstrong. I saw who you really were, and how everything that happened to you damaged you. That’s why I reached out to you, Elena. That is why you let me help you.”

I blink at the words. Had I? It doesn’t feel like it had been a conscious choice. Salisar had been in my face the whole time. He was rough when I needed it, but he was also gentle when I would turn into myself. I had taken a liking to him and he to me. It never even crossed my mind that this was related to the incident.

“If anything good came out of that day,” I whisper more to myself than at him, “it’s that I found my home here. With you and the crew, sir.”

He nods at that and raises his glass of juice.

“I’ll drink to that.” He takes a sip and scrunches his nose. “Dios, I really wish this was whiskey instead.”

A laugh bubbles up from deep inside me. It startles us both when it falls from my lips. As I clasp my mouth with my hands, Salisar starts to laugh as well. The emotional tension breaks and we chuckle together for a few moments until we come back to ourselves.

“Sir, I never meant to shame you or the station,” I sigh.

“You haven’t, Elena.” His smile turns softer now. “If anything, you’ve made me proud. I knew that Carter was something else when she walked in here. Bright, eager, and a big heart. It was clear from that moment that she only wanted the best for our station. Naturally I can’t give her press access anymore, but I hope we get to see her around more often. If she is worth it for you to risk everything, she is more than welcome to our family.”

I nod. “She is, sir… worth it, I mean.”